Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Kevin Myers

Kevin Myers Views of Dayton: Miamisburg

By

On Feb. 20, 1818, four men from Pennsylvania — Emanuel Gebhart, Jacob Kercher, Dr. John Treon and Dr. Peter Treon — offered for sale at public auction 90 lots in a new town by the name of Miamisburg. Situated on the left bank of the Miami River, the plat was divided into square lots containing one-fifth of an acre.  he name Miamisburg was derived from the Miami Native American tribe that resided there, combining “Miamis” with “burg,” which denotes a borough or town.

 

By 1832, the unincorporated community had become a village and achieved City status about 100 years later.

Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro was started in 1986, and quickly became known as one of the Miami Valley’s “hot spots” to get great food, or just to hang out relax and grab a drink with good friends.

22 cents. Thats all movie lovers had to pay to see a movie at the Plaza Theatre when it opened on December 25th 1919 The Weaver brothers believed “if they build it the people would come” It would feature clear projection, new movies, a Wurlitzer organ, and almost 700 seats. The Theatre remained a community icon for 50 years until 1968 when televisions and other commercial factors began competing with Theatre goers. The Theatre became a western retail store in 1968 which closed in 2002; the Theatre stood vacant from 2002 until it was beautifully restored. The Plaza Theatre is well known as the place for many first dates. Check out the story behind these locals and committee members in the videos below. The Plaza Theatre reopened on Christmas Day of 2015, thanks to the efforts of the non-profit organization passionate about revitalizing the unique downtown Miamisburg.

Grandpa Joe’s is filled wall to wall (to ceiling!) with every candy you can imagine, as well as hundreds of glass bottle soda pops and novelty gift items. Need a gift for someone who’s difficult to buy for? Look no further than Grandpa Joe’s! Their passionate and knowledgeable staff is made up entirely of candy experts/historians/lovers, so when you come looking for “that one candy you used to get as a child,” we guarantee we’ll figure it out (or die trying).

This little courtyard is a perfect spot to enjoy a beverage from A Taste of Wine with some sweets from local bakery Amy Cakes.

No matter where you go in Miamisburg, you’ll be welcomed!

You can see more of Kevin’s phots on his Facebook page or on SmugMug.

Kevin Myers Views of Dayton: Carillion Historical Park

By

This week Kevin has captured Carillion Historical Park at night!

 

The art modern-style carillon tower was built in 1942, funded by Edward Deeds’ wife Edith Walton Deeds and was designed to commemorate the Deeds family. When the tower was built, each of 23 bells was inscribed with the name of a family member, with the “silent” bells bearing the names of deceased family members and ringing bells cast with the names of family members then living. Today, with 57 bells, the carillon is Ohio’s largest. The National Park Service listed the Deeds Carillon on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

 

Carillon Park refurbished the carillon in 1988, converting it from an electric keyboard controlled instrument to a traditional, baton-keyboard mechanical carillon. The Park’s carillonneur, Larry Weinstein performs live carillon concerts every Sunday at 3:00 from May to October.

 

 

In 20018 the historic Callahan Clock that stood over Dayton’s skyline for more than a century was moved to Carillon Park with  a $500,000 gift from the Dayton-based Robert Brethen Foundation last November to “lift the historic Callahan Clock into the air and return this well-known landmark to Dayton’s skyline.”

The clock, also known as the Gem City Clock, was set atop the Brethren Tower.

 

You can see more of Kevin’s phots on his Facebook page or on SmugMug.

Kevin Myers Views of Dayton: Dayton National Cemetery

By

The Dayton National Cemetery was established as the permanent burial site for residents of the Central Branch of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in 1867. It is one of 11 federal cemeteries affiliated with the system of National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Management of these facilities was transferred from the U.S. Army/National Home system to the newly created Veterans Administration in 1930.

The design of the cemetery is attributed to Chaplain (and Capt.) William B. Earnshaw, who was considered to have “judgment and taste” in these matters. Earnshaw served in the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Cumberland, from which he was named superintendent at Stones River and Nashville National Cemeteries. In September 1867, Earnshaw arrived at the Dayton Soldiers Home, as it became known, having been encouraged to seek the position by Gen. George Thomas.

The Soldiers Home cemeteries were to be “laid out and cared for, as far as practicable, in the manner prescribed for National Cemeteries.” The single-most visual cemetery construction is the lofty Soldiers’ Monument around which faceted, concentric rows of graves are arranged. Two features found here are common to many older national cemeteries. There are two ornamental 19th-century cannons located at the base of Soldiers’ Monument, and seven “Bivouac of the Dead” verse tablets.

.


The Dayton Soldiers’ Monument dominates the national cemetery from atop a mound at the center of the landscape. The cornerstone was laid in 1873, and it was completed in 1877. This dramatic structure is composed of a 30-foot marble column on a granite base with an ornamental cap and soldier posed at parade rest. The column was one of six that were salvaged from the Benjamin Henry Latrobe-designed Bank of Philadelphia when it was demolished in 1867-68. Latrobe worked on the White House and U.S. Capitol, and is credited with introducing Greek Revival architecture to America. The monument was designed by veterans at the soldiers’ home and the Philadelphia-firm of William Struthers and Sons, expert stonemasons, carved the base, capital and statue. President Rutherford B. Hayes, Ohioan and former Union general, delivered the dedication address for the monument on Sept. 12, 1877, to a crowd of about 22,000. Some years after the dedication, four figures representing the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and Navy were added at the corners of the base. Two ornamental artillery cannons now flank the Soldiers’ Monument.​


The “Memorial to 33 soldiers of the War of 1812 Buried in this Cemetery…” is a bronze plaque affixed to a tall boulder. The text continues: “Honoring Josephine C. Diefenbach state president 1915-1932. Erected by the Ohio Society United States Daughters of 1812 on the anniversary of Perry’s Victory – September 10, 1936.”

Dayton National Cemetery

4400 West Third Street
Dayton, OH 45428

Phone: 937-268-2221

Visitation Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk. Gates open every day.

Kevin Myers Views of Dayton: Oregon District

By

Heart Mercantile: A snarky shop filled with clothing, home goods, local/handmade, Dayton-centric gifts, jewelry, and much more.


The Trolley Stop building was constructed in 1839 and is the oldest continuously operating tavern in Dayton.  This location originally housed a residence, a meat and provisions store, a tavern, a shoe-shine shop, a barbershop and several sleeping room

Ned Pepper’s, named after notorious outlaw and one of the main antagonists of True Grit ,was opened in 1994.

Looking West bound down Fifth Street.

You can see more of Kevin’s phots on his Facebook page or on SmugMug

Kevin Myers Views of Dayton: VA Grotto Gardens

By

In 2012, The Dayton VA Medical Center (DVAMC) and The American Veterans Heritage Center initiated the current reclamation of the historic Grotto Gardens landscape. The Ohio State University Extension’s (OSUE) Greater Montgomery County Master Gardener Volunteers joined the team in 2013 to provide horticultural support and develop new gardens.

The Grotto Gardens are on the grounds of the Dayton VA Medical Center. Admission is free and open to the public. Open 24 hours a day.

Home Depot provided critical support both financially and through volunteer efforts  to improve the infrastructure. Along the way, other volunteers have joined the team and there have been significant financial and in-kind donations by individual, organizations, garden clubs, and garden centers. While OSUE no longer is involved, the Grotto Gardens continue to be supported by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Address: Tennessee and Gettysburg Ave. Dayton, OH 45428

Directions -Take St Rt 35 W to the Gettysburg exit.   Continue straight through the gates and then take the first left on Tennessee.    Parking available on road. The Gettysburg gate is closed on weekends currently. They close at 5:30pm on Fridays and open on Monday mornings.  Please use the Liscum entrance and take Kentucky Ave.

The Grotto’s water flows from natural underground springs, but the surrounding landscaping, rock walls and nearby lakes are all man-made. Seventy-five full-time Veteran gardeners planted and cared for magnificent gardens in the Grotto and adjacent areas, and it became a destination point for hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Some came by train and often stayed at a hotel located on the grounds just north of the Grotto.

You can download a map of the walking tour of the Grotto here.

Many of the trees have been planted to honor Veterans.  Download a listing of those here.

Introducing A New Weekly DMM Monday Feature

By

Each Monday we’ll be presenting a look at the Miami Valley through the eyes of photographer Kevin Myers.  We start with is favorite view of Dayton which inspired him to start his Facebook Page and group. 

These were taken from the Miami Valley Hospital parking garage April/May 2020.

To see more of his photos’s join his Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DaytonOhioUSA